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Readers debate naming schools for people

This was news even to those following the controversy over changing the name of Forrest High School.

No person, living or dead, could be used for a new name.

Is it a good idea? Can’t a name serve as a role model? Or, as even many Forrest defenders said, kids don’t know who the names of schools represent anyway.

So we asked members of our Email Interactive Group with educational backgrounds to comment.

BE POPULAR OR BE RIGHT

The ideal policy in naming is to avoid Civil War traitors, racists, misogynists, etc. This solution should be intuitive; although, in a town full of racists, it is politically incorrect. Your choice as a newspaper is to be popular or to do the right thing. Being popular will get you short-term subscriptions; doing the right thing will earn you respect in the field of journalism and beyond. Your choice.

Jane Chambers, Atlantic Beach

USING NAMES WILL BE ABUSED

Politicians love to name schools, airports and other public places after their favorite ideologue. Some schools and colleges are named after wealthy benefactors. Neither is appropriate. Schools should be named to reflect their community or neighborhood, such as Mandarin High School.

Bill Aldridge, Mandarin

ALWAYS CONTROVERSIAL

The policy of the Duval County School Board not to name schools for people, either living or dead, is a good one.

Using names of people to identify schools is inherently controversial.

Controversy ultimately leads to unproductive debate involving time and money that could more reasonably be spent on educational concerns.

Simplify the process, eliminate the controversy! Name each school according to its location or educational emphasis or both (Lavilla School of the Arts).

Terry Tabor, Orange Park

THE HOT STOVE EFFECT

The School Board’s naming policy reminds me of the adage about a cat that jumps on a hot stove. It will only do it once, but that cat won’t jump on a cold stove either.

Having made a bum decision a half-century ago, the board takes the silly position that schools shouldn’t be named after any person.

They seem to argue that Jacksonville lacks any people worthy of having schools named after them.

Of course, board members would argue, “No, no, our beloved city and its cemeteries are filled with worthy individuals. We just don’t want to jump on another hot stove. Be reasonable.”

The School Board should change the policy and make a list of deceased people worthy of being considered for a school name.

First on that list should be Scott Speicher, needless to say.

Howard Denson, Jacksonville

FEAR OF OFFENDING PEOPLE

I think the policy stinks, but unfortunately, it proves that Jacksonville is still racially intolerant and attempting political correctness that doesn’t seem to serve anyone.

Maybe forcing folks to sit down and rationally discuss new names might slowly assist the city into a new era of acceptance of each other’s races and our diversities.

Who knows?

Amber Mayes, Jacksonville

REMINISCENT OF ‘1984’

The policy of the Duval County School Board not to name schools for people, living or dead, sounds like a subplot in George Orwell’s novel “1984” wherein history is continually revised to accommodate the ambitions and prejudices of whoever in political power benefits from those revisions.

This is not respect for history, which hopefully is still taught objectively in Duval County schools.

For the record, the great Civil War historian Shelby Foote stated the war produced two authentic geniuses: Abraham Lincoln, who guided a nation through its most challenging years, and Nathan Bedford Forrest, a field commander who used limited resources to maximum advantage.

In Alachua County, we have the Marjorie K. Rawlings Elementary School, and students have learned to respect and appreciate her contributions to American literature.

Editing our heritage is not respect for history or education.

Bill Boe, Gainesville

SCHOOLS ARE A REFLECTION

The recent Times-Union publication of profiles of individuals for whom Jacksonville public schools are named was revealing.

There are many reasons why Jacksonville’s history and the influence of some of its citizens are something that should be shared. I support naming public schools after important individuals.

Public schools provide a perfect venue for teaching our community about its history. Surely, a policy can be devised to address the naming and renaming of schools in Duval County that does not ignore our rich community history. The process devised to address the Andrew Jackson issue could be a good start.

Darlene A. Gantt, Jacksonville

LOCAL MONUMENT FOR HISTORY

As a community, we want to remember our “greats” and have few avenues with which to do this; thus we name things for people.

How much more sensible is the Dames Point bridge than the official name, the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge?

How about building a wall-type monument on which we can engrave those names?

Supporters can solicit the funds for the engraving, and boards and the City Council can vote on additions.

The important thing for most supporters is that we have a way of remembering the “greats.” A name on the “great” wall of Jacksonville will probably suffice. And additions will be a permanent part of Jacksonville’s history.